Hacks & Wonks
On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Chair of Sierra Club Seattle, long time communications and political strategist, Robert Cruickshank! They discuss: Republican Divisions Threaten Party's Chances in Governor's Race Corporate-Backed Super PAC Boosts Conservative Democrat's Campaign Seattle Councilmember Seeks to Roll Back Gig Worker Protections Mayor's Office Cuts Anti-Displacement Proposals from Growth Plan New Light Rail Line Set to Open on Eastside Business Group Launches Campaign to Relocate Light Rail Station Seattle Children's Hospital Refuses to Share Patient...
info_outline Nick Brown Discusses Key Issues in Washington State Attorney General RaceHacks & Wonks
Nick Brown joins Hacks & Wonks for an in-depth interview to discuss his campaign for Attorney General and plans to address WA’s most pressing issues. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Twitter/X at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter/X at and find Nick Brown at . Resources
info_outline Week in Review: April 19, 2024 - with Ashley NerbovigHacks & Wonks
On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by staff writer at The Stranger covering policing, incarceration and courts, Ashley Nerbovig! They discuss: GOP Candidate Dave Reichert's Anti-LGBTQ Views Boeing Faces Scrutiny Over Safety Issues and Alleged Cover-Up Tacoma to Implement ShotSpotter Despite Concerns Local Guaranteed Basic Income Pilots Show Promising Results Seattle Police Officer's Troubling Past Revealed As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Twitter at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at and find today’s co-host, Ashley...
info_outline Denver's STAR Program Offers Promising Alternative Response to Mental Health and Substance Use CrisesHacks & Wonks
On this topical show, Crystal welcomes Evan Thompkins, STAR Program Specialist with the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, and Stephanie Van Jacobs, Program Manager at WellPower! The STAR program offers a promising alternative response to mental health and substance use crises, providing individuals with the support and resources they need while reducing the burden on traditional police response. With strong community support and a commitment to meeting the evolving needs of Denver residents, the STAR program is poised to continue making a positive impact on the lives of those...
info_outline Week in Review: April 12, 2024 - with Guy OronHacks & Wonks
On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Staff Reporter for Real Change and creator of the Gossip Guy newsletter, Guy Oron! They discuss: Washington's Ban on High-Capacity Magazines Ruled Unconstitutional Three New GOP Initiatives Boeing Whistleblower Raises Safety Concerns Seattle City Councilmembers Call for Improvements to Comprehensive Plan Transportation Levy Faces Scrutiny Alternative Response Plans Hindered by Police Union Agreement As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Twitter at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at ...
info_outline State Legislative Session Falls Short on Housing As Seattle Comprehensive Plan Process Ramps UpHacks & Wonks
On this topical show, Crystal Fincher and Executive Director of The Urbanist, Rian Watt, dig into how housing policy shapes the future vision for our communities, why the recent legislative session didn’t live up to its “Year of Housing 2.0” billing, and how the Seattle Comprehensive plan falls short and can be improved. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Twitter at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at and find Rian Watt at . Resources “” by Ryan Packer from The Urbanist “” by Ryan Packer from The Urbanist...
info_outline Week in Review: April 5, 2024 - with Erica BarnettHacks & Wonks
On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Seattle political reporter, editor of PubliCola, and co-host of the Seattle Nice podcast, Erica Barnett! They discuss: Seattle Police Contract Raises Budget Concerns, Accountability Questions Thurston Sheriff's Hiring of Officer Involved in Manny Ellis' Killing Illuminates Broader Accountability Issues Burien Countersues King County Over Encampment Sweeps Unhoused Asylum Seekers at Garfield As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Twitter at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, at and find...
info_outline Week in Review: March 29, 2024 - with Naomi IshisakaHacks & Wonks
On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Assistant Managing Editor for Diversity and Inclusion and the Social Justice Columnist for The Seattle Times, Naomi Ishisaka! They discuss: New Candidates Running for Seattle City Council Everyday Gun Violence Seattle Dual-Dispatch Pilot is Underutilized Ferguson’s Police Centric Plan Deaths at Tacoma ICE Facility, SCORE and KC Jails Problematic Gravel Yard Gains AG’s Attention As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Twitter at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at and find...
info_outline King County's Community-Led Approach Showing Promise in Combating Gun ViolenceHacks & Wonks
King County is taking a comprehensive, community-focused approach that early data suggests is helping steer young people away from cycles of violence. In an interview with the Hacks & Wonks podcast, Eleuthera Lisch, director of the King County Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention, discussed the promising impacts of the county's community violence intervention initiatives. At the heart of the strategy are organizations like Regional Peacekeepers Collective and Rainier Beach Action Coalition - Restorative Solutions that employ street outreach workers and "violence interrupters" -...
info_outline Week in Review: March 15, 2024 - with Robert CruickshankHacks & Wonks
Hacks & Wonks Week in Review: Presidential Primary, Legislative Retirements, Police Recruitment in Seattle, Seattle Public Schools Board, and Burien Gets Sued Presidential Primary Takeaways In this week's presidential primary, Trump and Biden secured enough delegates to clinch their parties' nominations. While Trump's impact worries moderate Republicans in Washington like Dave Reichert, Biden faces pressure from the "uncommitted delegates" protest vote demanding an end to violence in Gaza. Washington Legislative Retirements Several longtime Democratic legislators, including...
info_outlineWeek in Review: Conservative Initiatives, Comprehensive Plan, and Ax Murderer Controversy
Conservative Initiatives Pass Democratic Legislature
In a surprising move, the Democratic-majority in the Washington state legislature passed three conservative ballot initiatives into law, bypassing the need for a public vote. The initiatives ban a state income tax, expand parental rights regarding instructional materials and student records in public schools, and give police broader authority for vehicular pursuits.
Barnett warned the parental rights measure could be wielded to out LGBTQ students: "It is outing trans kids, it is outing potentially gay and lesbian bisexual kids...it's a violation of the rights of privacy of children and teenagers."
The decision avoids a costly campaign battle, but Barnett questioned if it signals Democrats being "willing to negotiate instead of fight" well-funded opposition.
Mayor's Comprehensive Plan Faces Criticism
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell's proposed 20-year Comprehensive Plan allows for just 100,000 new housing units, despite projections that 250,000 more people will move to the city. Critics blasted this as woefully inadequate to address the affordable housing shortage.
Barnett called it "stunning in its lack of ambition" beyond mandated zoning changes. Fincher urged residents to attend public meetings and directly press the mayor's and councilmembers' offices, saying "They need to hear from you, their constituents."
Revelation of Ax Attacks on Homeless People Raises Concerns
Weeks after a suspect's arrest, Seattle police admitted they withheld information about horrific ax attacks targeting the city's homeless population. The lack of public warning sparked outrage.
Barnett speculated police view such crimes against the unhoused as "not affect[ing] the general public." Fincher condemned the "dehumanizing conversations and rhetoric...about visible street homelessness" that enable such violence.
Both hosts emphasized the need for accountability and citizen engagement from Seattle's elected leaders on these intersecting crises around housing, public safety and inequality.
As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com.
Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at @finchfrii and find today’s co-host, Erica Barnett, at @ericacbarnett.
Resources
Executive Dow Constantine Details How King County Tackles the Homelessness Crisis Through Housing Solutions from Hacks & Wonks
“Why we are voting to pass WA’s parental-rights initiative” by Jamie Pedersen and Laurie Jinkins for The Seattle Times
“LGBTQ Advocates Are Ready to Fight the Parents’ Bill of Rights” by Vivan McCall from The Stranger
“First-of-its-kind database: Majority of people killed in police chases aren’t the fleeing drivers” by Susie Neilson, Jennifer Gollan and Janie Haseman from The San Francisco Chronicle
“City Attorney Disqualifies Judge from Criminal Cases, Issues Traffic Ticket to Officer Who Killed Student With His SUV” from PubliCola
“Republican City Attorney Ann Davison Throws Municipal Court into Chaos” by Ashley Nerbovig from The Stranger
“The City Attorney’s Blanket “Affidavit of Prejudice” Policy Against Judge Vaddadi” by David Ziff from Ziff Blog
“Draft Comprehensive Plan Would Increase Housing Less Than Needed to Accommodate 250,000 New Residents” by Erica C. Barnett from PubliCola
“Seattle Releases Comprehensive Plan Less Ambitious Than Bellevue” by Doug Trumm from The Urbanist
“Mayor Harrell proposes housing density in every Seattle neighborhood” by David Kroman from The Seattle Times
One Seattle Plan Engagement Hub
“First Hill man arrested in ax murder as Seattle Police secretly searched for suspect preying on homeless — UPDATE” by Justin Carder from Capitol Hill Seattle Blog
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